January 20, 2012

Clippings: Mostly silly. Then quite grave.

Today is the feast of St. Sebastian. I love this Georges de la Tour painting, because it shows the next part of the story: Irene, coming to rescue Sebastian and bringing him back to health. He was eventually clubbed to death on the order of Diocletian. I must admit, I dislike all the representations of St. Sebastian as a perfect male form. They seem so sensual. Is this prudish of me? Though I can't put my finger on what bothers me so much about them, I don't think I am being prudish. Anyway, this painting offers an alternative. The grief on the women's faces is such an evocative bit of iconography--like the women Christ meets on the way of the Cross, like the pieta, like Mary Magdalene weeping over the empty tomb. But they are also women of action: Irene (in black--she was a widow) prudent, thoughtful countenance, ready to lend a hand. Her companion stoops down to investigate.

+ You should see me sitting here, winking at my computer, trying out these different signals. It's pretty ridiculous. As Aaron said: the danger of misunderstanding is rather high.

+ Gary Oldman, the model? (These clothes are smoking.) (Yes, I know, Defoe and Brody are in there too. But, guys: Gary Oldman!)